Members of the Mount Maunganui Underwater Club are carrying out an underwater cleanup at Salisbury Wharf and Pilot Bay.

The cleanup starts on Sunday at 9am, and residents are being urged to participate.

Organiser Shane Wasik says the cleanup will also coincide with Seaweek, a national series of events where New Zealanders celebrate the sea.


Items being hauled from the harbour during the 2010 underwater cleanup.

'Seaweek is about exciting and inspiring all New Zealanders to renew their connection with the sea.”

'It's not just for children or those involved with formal education – it's a time for all of us to get to know our ocean, its habits, characteristics and inhabitants.”

Last year the club's Seaweek cleanup recovered over four tonnes of junk.

Shane says this shows there is a need to look after our marine environment and it should not be treated as a dumping ground.

Amongst the debris were tyres, bottles, fishing gear, railway sleepers, shoes along with a variety of metals and plastics.

'The water around Pilot Bay may look murky but it does hold many interesting marine inhabitants such as Seahorses, Nudibranchs, Moray Eels, Stargazers and Stingrays to name but a few.”

Any divers or non divers who are interested in helping should contact the organiser Shane Wasik at www.shanewasik.com. Meet at 9am at Salisbury Wharf.